Bill Whiting, wine education director for Banfi Vintners of Old Brookville, NY, the United States’ leading wine importer and a major producer of premium offerings in Italy, spoke to three classes at Rosen College this week. Students taking Exploring Wines and the History and Culture of Wine heard an expert’s take on the wine, cuisine and culture of five of Italy’s provinces.
“Industry experts like Bill Whiting bring students their vast experience in the wine trade, but his lecture is about more than just wine,” said David Black, a lecturer at Rosen College with more than 30 years of experience in fine wine and spirits. “He also discusses the history of Italian wines going back to the Romans, which is important for students to understand. Bill only speaks at about ten different universities, so Rosen College is privileged to be included.”
Whiting is part of the third generation involved in the family business and a grandson of John F. Mariani, Sr., who founded Banfi in 1919. Three of the company’s brands rank among the nation’s 10 top-selling imports and its Italian vineyard estate, Castello Banfi of Montalcino, Tuscany, has won Italy’s highest wine honor four times – the Premio Gran VinItaly – for International Winery of the Year.
To learn more about hospitality management education at Rosen College, please visit hospitality.ucf.edu.